628th Tank Destroyer Battalion

Unit History: Established 15 December, 1941, from the 28th Infantry Division Antitank Battalion (Provisional), Indiantown Gap, PA. Originally a Light Towed Battalion. Shipped from New York port of embarkation on Jan. 29, 1944, on the Aquitania and arrived at Greenock, Scotland, on 6 February, 1944 and disembarked at Utah Beach on 30 July, equipped with M10s. Committed to battle on 2 August near Perier, France. Participated in envelopment of Falaise Pocket. Dashed east to the Belgian border, arriving on 2 September. Helped liberate Luxembourg, began assault on the Siegfried Line on 13 September. Conducted artillery missions in October. Converted to M36's in November, then committed to fighting in the Hürtgen Forest in December. Shifted to Aachen sector on 8 December only to be ordered to the Ardennes during the Battle of the Bulge. Fought to eliminate Bulge in January 1945. Crossed Roer River beginning 25 February and reached the Rhine on 10 March. Crossed the Rhine on 31 March at Wesel. Slashed through Germany to the Elbe River by 11 April. Attacked back west to eliminate German pockets. Took up occupation duties on 26 April near Peine. Attached to: 82d Airborne Division; 3d, 5th Armored divisions; 75th Infantry Division. Deactivated at Camp Myles Standish, MA on Nov. 14, 1945. History text from the book The Tank Killers by Harry Yeide. Used by permission.

1.) Detailed History of the Unit - Official Unit History "Victory TD" done by the unit on June 7, 1945. From the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.

NOTE: Interestingly, the photo listed above was provided to me by the family of Capt. R.J. Arendt. In that photo, seated center and center right are the two senior officers. Seated just right of center is Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. William M. Hernandez. Just right of Hernandez is Maj. William J. Gallagher, Battalion Executive Officer. On August 20th, 1944, while directing indirect fire during the Battle of the Seine River, near Douains, France, Lt. Col. Hernandez was killed at 1630 hours. At 1700 hours Maj. Gallagher assumed command of the unit. Capt. Arendt is shown seated, 6th from the right. He transferred to the HQ Co. 6th TD Group (my father's unit) along with Capt. Thomas M. Cook, while they were stationed in southern England preparing for the D-Day invasion. 1st Lieutenant Herbert A. Pratte is shown sitting, fifth from the right.

3.) After Action Reports - from the Combined Arms Research Library of the Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.